Does CBD Oil Get You High?

Conversations surrounding CBD oil have been abundant in the last few years, if not decades. While many people have been helped by this cannabis derivative, a large number of the people are still skeptical about the benefits. If you’re not exactly a pro when it comes to cannabis oil, you may have some questions in mind. You’ve probably wondered if CBD works on your ailment. You may have thought about the potential costs and side effects and maybe even about risk factors.

‘Does CBD oil get you high?’

This is another question that stumps many people. If you’re on the lookout for the answer to this question, let’s get started!

Will You Get High Off of CBD Oil?

You’ve seen plenty of stereotypical portrayals of marijuana smokers in pop culture. Moreover, given the fact that CBD comes from marijuana or hemp, you might wonder if you’ll experience psychoactive effects from using CBD oil. You might wonder if using CBD oil or its products will leave you feeling high, impair your ability to work or make you feel drowsy.

The short answer is NO. Since CBD oil and its products are free from any psychoactive components, you won’t get high off of CBD oil or any products that contain CBD oil.

The Difference between CBD and THC

Before we can understand why CBD oil doesn’t make you high, let’s understand the two most popular components of the cannabis plant. Of all the active ingredients found in the cannabis (marijuana) plant, research about CBD’s benefits have gained traction in recent years. CBD stands for cannabidiol. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is another popular cannabinoid that has some medicinal benefits to offer users. Let’s understand how these two compounds are different or similar to a variety of factors.

Chemical Structure

CBD and THC are very similar in their molecular structure – 21 atoms of carbon, 30 atoms of hydrogen and two oxygen atoms. However, they aren’t identical. Slight differences in the arrangement of the particles in each cannabinoid make them uniquely different from each other.

Both of these cannabinoids are chemically similar to the endocannabinoid systems in the body. This likeness allows THC and CBD to interact with various cannabinoid receptors throughout your system. This interaction releases neurotransmitters in the brain, which are chemicals responsible for relaying messages on the cellular level.

The effects of neurotransmitter release brought on by each endocannabinoid are starkly different.

Psychoactive Components

Given their similar chemical structures of THC and CBD, it is fair to wonder if the psychoactive effects of these cannabinoids are the same. THC binds with CB1 receptors in the brain in a way that promotes psychoactivity. In short, THC has psychoactive effects. The sense of euphoria, happiness and general high that’s associated with marijuana comes from THC.

On the other hand, CBD binds feebly at best with CB1 receptors in the brain. Not only that, but it is also known to interfere with THC binding, softening the psychoactive effects that would otherwise occur.

Legal Status

Thanks to the fact that it produces a mild-altering psychoactive effect, THC is classified as an illegal substance in most countries. While some states in America have legalized recreational marijuana, many others haven’t. CBD, on the other hand, is not nearly as rigorously prohibited or scrutinized. However, with that being said, the origin of the CBD plays a considerable role in determining legality.

As per the provisions of the US Farm Bill of 2014, CBD extracted from hemp is federally legal. This federal law doesn’t legalize CBD extracted from marijuana. However, it doesn’t overrule the State’s laws either. Because states have their own rules regarding the legality of CBD, distinguishing between hemp-derived CBD and marijuana-derived CBD is still unclear to many.

Let’s understand how hemp-derived CBD and marijuana-derived CBD are different from each other.

The Difference between Hemp and Marijuana

As we’ve clarified above, CBD extracted from industrial hemp is entirely legal in the US. Industrial hemp is a cannabis plant that most CBD product manufacturers use to source CBD. The dietary supplements, edible gummies, tincture drops and capsules of CBD that flood the market today are usually extracted from industrial hemp.

CBD oil made from industrial hemp contains almost negligible levels of high-inducing THC. With a THC content of less than 0.3%, such derivates are safe for consumption. Hemp’s sturdy stalks and potent seeds are a wealth of CBD, making it a manufacturer staple.

However, CBD can also be extracted from marijuana. Such CBD oil has a higher THC content. Together, THC and CBD certainly offer a holistic medical marijuana experience, but they may bring you a sensation of feeling high. Depending on the state that you’re in, such products may or may not be legal.

Many brands offer such type of products. However, to ascertain if you’ll be getting a product that doesn’t impair your daily schedule because you’re too high, confirmations about the contents in the product are essential. Third-party lab testing is a good solution. Most companies today employ such lab testing as a standard practice. This industry-wide phenomenon ensures that your product clears tests for chemical residue, heavy metals, pesticide presence, mould and overall cannabinoid levels.

Both hemp and marijuana contain THC and CBD at varying levels. However, the highest concentrations of CBD are found in hemp, making it the natural choice to extract CBD oil.

How CBD Oil Is Made

Hemp grown for its rich cannabidiol levels is specially bred to enhance this natural availability of this cannabinoid. THC concentrates are highest in the buds of plants. So yes, marijuana buds will have the highest concentrations of THC. Even hemp buds contain negligible THC levels by comparison.

However, for an even lower CBD concentration, growers extract CBD oil from hemp stalk, stems and seeds instead. Hemp plants grow taller and have higher shoots, making them very viable for extracting oil.

CBD Oil Extraction Methods

CBD oil is extracted in a variety of ways, depending on a variety of factors. Each contains its benefits and disadvantages.

Oil Method

Using the ‘Oil Method’ of extracting CBD oil is known to be the safest option, especially for people doing so at home. This method makes use of carrier oil. In most cases, coconut or olive oil accompany the hemp. This method is free of any unwanted chemical residues. It also has the added benefit of a carrier oil that has its benefits to offer. This extraction method is becoming steadily popular.

Alcohol Method

The ‘Alcohol Method’ is known by many as the ethanol method of extracting CBD. This CBD oil-extraction process is easy enough not to warrant any special skills or advanced equipment. This makes it an excellent choice for beginners. The extraction agent in this process is alcohol. Since it doesn’t leave an unpleasant aftertaste or repulsive color, it is preferred by many.

CO2 Method

The CO2 extraction method works by pushing carbon dioxide through the plant matter at high pressures. As with the previous two ways of extraction, this one relies on extracting cannabidiol from the plant in its purest form. The CO2 method is used by most manufacturers owing to how clean it is. Unlike ethanol or oil methods, this one doesn’t leave any byproducts or residues in the final product.

Growing Scientific Research for CBD Oil

CBD oil’s use has offered many people a new lease on life in recent years. Research into the cannabinoid’s many therapeutic applications may have gained popularity recently, but it isn’t a modern phenomenon.

Humankind began cultivating cannabis almost 4000 years ago. However, it was only in the mid-1950s that scientists extracted cannabidiol and began studying its applications. Since then, scientific research has boomed in this subject, and more and more applications are unearthed regularly.

Right from severe disorders like Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and rheumatoid arthritis, CBD oil has proven to bring relief to patients. Research has shown that CBD has antipsychotic properties and can calm anxiety. It has also been used by many for quelling social anxiety, mild depression and even PTSD.

This 2016 research paper found that CBD oil has excellent potential in myocarditis therapy. It helps to treat the inflammation of the heart which usually damages local cells. The cannabinoid is known to have a great host of benefits for maintaining healthy heart health. It also reduces blood pressure and can help with hypertension.

Even among general audiences, there is an awareness of CBD’s anti-seizure properties. The New England Journal of Medicine explored CBD medication’s effects on young adults with Dravet syndrome. This syndrome is a rare form of epilepsy characterized by seizures of varying intensities. The study concluded that participants who got CBD oil experienced a drop in seizure frequency up to 38.9%.

With a growing market for a safe dietary supplement that can remedy so many ailments, CBD is more well-research than ever before. As we discover more about the cannabinoid, we see greater acceptance among people. This acceptance and popularity are sure to bring a bright future for the CBD industry and its applications.

Dwight was a Mental Health counselor at Long Island Psychotherapy & Counseling in Westbury, New York for more than 15 years. He believes that CBD is the prime solution to this mental illness and more-- with proper research, medical acknowledgment, and application. Through his work at AmericanMarijuana, together with the rest of the team, he wishes to provide everyone with genuine results and high-quality product reviews for everyone to enjoy for free.